Community Groups throughout Waterford City and County have been lined up to receive €564,000 in funding for projects under the Community Climate Action fund.
The €27million fund is provided to Local Authorities nationally to enable them to partner with community groups supporting Climate Action programmes in towns and villages and to date has supported community gardens, solar energy projects, community composting and electric vehicle charging.
The fund, which is provided to local authorities to partner with community groups, gives amounts of up to €100,000 to larger local projects over an 18-month period.
It is paying for initiatives like the installation of renewable energy systems, the development of community gardens, the installation of EV chargers, bike racks, water refill stations, composting, lighting upgrades or rainwater harvesting to name just a few of the projects covered.
Welcoming the funding allocated to Waterford organisations, Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh said:
“This round of funding will have a significant impact on the organisations that benefit and I’m very happy to see some exciting and ambitious projects in Waterford on the list. Individual climate actions can sometimes feel too small to make a real difference and national politics can feel too distant for a lot of people whereas in the community you can make a real difference and see that difference as well. Sports organisations like Kilrossanty, Ballysaggart, and Tallow GAA clubs will see significant reductions in their energy bills from installing Solar PV and Villa FC and Williamstown Sports Complex will notice the difference after they install their new LED lighting. Residents in Stradbally, Waterford City, Clashmore, Kinsalebeg, Ardmore and Tramore will all benefit from enhanced planting and other nature-based projects in their areas."
The full list of Waterford allocations is as follows:
